Secondary science teachers teach grades 6 to 12. The total income for a science teacher may be split into income from salary, benefits, paid educational activities and income from a second job or career. Real benefits such as time off, health insurance, retirement and access to home loans are not represented in teacher salaries.
Salary
According to May 2008 figures from the US Bureau for Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage among approximately 1,000,000 U.S. secondary school teachers was $54,390. The 10th percentile earned $34,280, and the 90th percentile earned $80,970.
Salaries vary from region to region and even dramatically between districts in a given geographic region. In Nassau-Suffolk County, the average wage was $82,900. Private schools and charter schools generally pay less than public schools.
Benefits
Benefits such as health, life, legal, disability, vision and dental insurance covering teachers and their family members vary by employer. Teachers may also be eligible for discounts on car insurance and low-cost home loans.
Teachers contribute to retirement plans and may retire with a fixed percentage of their income.
Teachers may teach only 180 days of the year, leaving time off (unpaid) in the winter, spring and summer to pursue a second career. In addition, most teachers will be offered a number of paid sick and personal days.
Teachers may be paid to attend professional development activities. Private school teachers may be given housing benefits. Some teachers may pursue teaching posts and paid fellowships to teach abroad.
Unions
Most public school teachers are represented by a union that negotiates salary and benefits. As a condition of union membership they may have to strike and pay union dues.
Paid Activities
Teachers are paid hourly rates or a fixed stipend to proctor exams, grade standardized tests, supervise activities, coach sports, teach summer school and substitute for other teachers. Teachers with master's degrees may teach classes at community colleges.
Career Flexibility
Science teachers may be paid for their work outside the classroom by participating in educational leadership activities and seminars, consulting, leading science workshops and educational tours or working in their field of expertise during time off.
Science teachers may change careers to work in school administration and work as managers, or work in sales, media, corporate training or other fields.
Bonuses and Advancement
Several districts offer yearly bonuses for additional degrees and certifications such as being a nationally certified teacher. Some districts may offer incentives to teachers who are willing to work in poorer districts or in hard-to-staff subjects such as science or math. Salary advancement may be based on accumulation of education units and years of service.
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